Chapter 16

Shen Jianzhen was the only person Zhang Hongying knew who had truly “gotten out.”

She didn’t just leave the city — she left the province, even went abroad.

But before she became the formidable, accomplished Shen Jianzhen, she was still wiping away tears over tuition fees.

After finishing two years of junior high, she needed to go to the town center to complete her third year.

Due to poor transportation, the town had one central junior high school, with four others located on the east, south, west, and north outskirts. Only the central school offered a complete junior high education and allowed students to take the high school entrance exam. The other four could only go up to the second year.

Students at that time had a very high self-dropout rate.

They’d quit school over arguments with classmates, scoldings from teachers, a fight with their parents, or simply because a factory started hiring.

When Shen Jianzhen was in seventh grade, there were over thirty students in her class. By the time eighth grade was coming to an end, only ten remained.

She had always owed tuition. The teachers would remind her occasionally, but if they couldn’t collect, they weren’t too concerned.

After all, this class was so small that sometimes, if the teacher felt like it, they’d show up for a lesson. If not, they’d just play mahjong and leave the students to self-study.

The town still cared a little about the rural schools — there were standardized tests every semester. After each exam, rankings were posted. Someone always had to come in last, and the rural schools were no match for the town school.

Yet despite this, Shen Jianzhen’s name always appeared on the red honor roll, posted in the town’s assembly hall for all to see.

So the teachers never made things difficult for the one student who brought them face-saving glory.

But now she was headed to the town school. The teachers there weren’t like the ones in the village who knew her well — many were even distant relatives. They used to cover for her.

But the town teachers were different — they were strict. Sitting on the podium, they’d call roll and ask each student for tuition.

Shen Jianzhen had no money at all. The commute was long, and she couldn’t even afford the dorm fees.

She was sobbing, and Shen Dalin, her father, was at his wit’s end. He’d even quit smoking, clutching his head in despair.

Zhang Hongying came running by and saw the father and daughter sitting silently across from each other.

Wu Xiaohong was nearby saying, “She must go to school.” But no matter how many times she said it, she couldn’t figure out where the money would come from.

Shen Dalin sighed. If only Wu Xiaohong were even a little capable, they wouldn’t be unable to come up with money for school.

He was excellent at farm work, raising silkworms, and even driving a tractor. He earned more than most couples combined. But while others’ earnings were additive — one plus one equals two — his household income worked the opposite way: two minus one, minus another, and another…

Wu Xiaohong’s medical bills took a chunk, the kids’ education took more, and the debts from building a house added on top.

Other families had already sent their kids to factories to work — earning a hundred to a hundred and fifty yuan a month. But Shen Dalin, who was an orphan raised by his grandmother, couldn’t bear to let his kids suffer while still so young. As long as they wanted to study, he would support them.

So as Shen Jianzhen cried bitterly, Shen Dalin finally hit his own head and said, “I’ll try to borrow again. If it really doesn’t work…”

That’s when Zhang Hongying rushed in.

“I can lend you the money for Jianzhen’s schooling,” she said, panting but firm.

Shen Jianzhen was already smiling through her tears, but Shen Dalin hesitated: “Does your mom know? Something this big can’t be kept from her.”

Zhang Hongying shook her head. “My mom doesn’t know. And she mustn’t find out.

Don’t let it slip — if she hears about this, she won’t say anything to you, but I’ll be the one in trouble.”

Shen Jianzhen looked at Shen Dalin with hope.

But he shook his head. “No, I can’t take money from a child.”

Zhang Hongying got anxious: “I’m lending it willingly — how is that ‘taking’ from me?”

Shen Jianzhen lowered her head and said nothing.

Zhang Hongying continued, “We grew up together. We’re best friends.

If she’s in trouble and I have money, of course I’ll help. If I didn’t have it, that’d be different. And if I ever run into trouble, I know Jianzhen wouldn’t leave me hanging — right?”

Shen Jianzhen nodded eagerly: “Yes, yes. Hongying, when I make money one day, I’ll definitely pay you back. And I’ll repay your kindness.”

Zhang Hongying knew she wasn’t lying. Shen Jianzhen was stubborn to the core. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have done something as silly as cooking with an oil lamp. Her mind just worked differently from others’. Whatever she said, she usually did.

But Zhang Hongying wasn’t in it for repayment — this was an emotional investment. So she smiled and said, “No need to talk about paying me back in the future. We’re sisters. Just be best friends for life — that’s enough.”

Shen Jianzhen started crying again, tears streaming down.

At the time, prices were extremely low. Pork was three yuan a jin (half a kilo), and meat dishes in the cafeteria were just eighty cents a serving.

Students went home once a week. If they brought some food back, they could stretch it for two or three days. The rest of the week, they just needed enough money to get by.

Zhang Hongying didn’t plan to give her a lot — that might raise suspicion or make others think she was being taken advantage of.

Five yuan a week was within her means.

Dorm fees were also five yuan — but that covered an entire semester.

After just one week of school, the principal noticed how hard up Shen Jianzhen was.

She ate pickled mustard stems for three days straight, washing them down with hot water… one small packet lasted three days.

What Zhang Hongying hadn’t anticipated was that Shen Jianzhen couldn’t even bring food from home.

Shen Dalin was too busy to think about it. Wu Xiaohong didn’t care about these things.

Shen Jianzhen had tried picking some vegetables and cooking them, but she didn’t even know how to wash them properly — the stir-fried greens were gritty with sand.

The five yuan Zhang Hongying gave her, no matter how frugally spent, wasn’t enough to cover six days of food.

Luckily, she brought her own rice from home. If she washed it and brought it to the canteen, the kitchen staff would steam it for her.

Each day, she’d take the rice, delicately lay a few slivers of pickled mustard on top like a treasure, and go pour hot water over it.

Most people, living in such hardship, would feel ashamed and try to hide it. They’d sneak over to the hot water dispenser when no one was watching. But Shen Jianzhen was used to being poor — she walked right up in broad daylight.

She didn’t even know it was something to feel ashamed about.

What’s there to be embarrassed about eating pickles? If you can afford meat, good for you. I’m already lucky to afford a packet of pickles. Sometimes all I have is soy sauce or salt for my rice.

With Zhang Hongying’s help, life was already better than before.

Shen Jianzhen was truly calm in every situation — always composed, always dignified, like a mountain unmoved by an earthquake.

So after three days of eating nothing but pickles, the principal finally confronted her: “Why are you eating pickled vegetables every day?”

Shen Jianzhen swallowed a bite of rice. “I’m poor. Tuition, living expenses, even dorm fees — all borrowed.

Being able to borrow money is already a blessing. What’s eating pickles compared to that?

They’re salty and tasty — even have a bit of umami.”

The principal, who was also surnamed Shen, was left speechless.

He dragged her to the teachers’ cafeteria and said, “From now on, eat here. Our cook will give you a little extra.”

Other teachers chimed in, “Yes, yes. We have big portions. We can’t finish them anyway. If everyone gives up one bite, that’s enough for her.”

But Shen Jianzhen, despite everything, had her pride. She flat-out refused. Said it was too shameful.

When Zhang Hongying heard about it, she didn’t quite understand. Why wasn’t it shameful to eat poorly, but getting a free meal was?